The Spoon River Project

The Spoon River Project based on Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters adapted by Tom Andolora

(29)
Productions (98)
Play with Music
|
85 - 95 minutes
5 W, 6 M,  (10-18 actors possible: 5-10 W, 5-10 M)
Set: The setting is a cemetery. It can be elaborate or as simple as you like.

In this beautifully haunting play based on Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, the former residents of Spoon River examine life and the longing for what might have been. As the citizens reflect on the dreams, secrets, and regrets of their lives, they paint a gritty and honest portrait of the town as all of their pasts are illuminated. Read More

Pricing Information

Libretto $13.99
piano/vocal/violin score $12.99
Archival Video License $150

For additional production package information, please see the Overview below. For production package pricing and performance fees, please begin an order.


View Package Details


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

In this beautifully haunting play based on Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, the former residents of Spoon River examine life and the longing for what might have been. As the citizens reflect on the dreams, secrets, and regrets of their lives, they paint a gritty and honest portrait of the town as all of their pasts are illuminated.

For more information, visit the playwright's page for The Spoon River Project.

Note: There is a shorter version of this play available, ideal for competition use. Please contact Playscripts for details.

  • Play with Music
  • |
  • 85 - 95 minutes
  • 5 W, 6 M,  (10-18 actors possible: 5-10 W, 5-10 M)
  • Set: The setting is a cemetery. It can be elaborate or as simple as you like.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-138-6

Package Details

Production Packages Include

  • 11 librettos (the book and lyrics)
  • 3 piano/vocal/violin score

Pricing and other details are provided during the order process. Higher quantities of some items may be purchased.

Published Reviews

"We may live in a very different world than that of Spoon River, but Masters' truths about the human condition are eternal. The Spoon River Project delivers them with love, care, and rich, enveloping atmosphere. To paraphrase Sally Durant Plummer, I'm so glad I went."

Erik Haagensen, Backstage (Critics' Pick)

"I have a long and storied English class history with Edgar Lee Masters' 1915 cycle of 246 free-verse epitaph poems, Spoon River Anthology. So I didn't expect to like it when Tom Andolora brought his edited and staged version, titled The Spoon River Project, to my new hometown in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn. What a pleasant surprise! Masters' text is a series of challenging but worthwhile cameos about the emotionally crippling social hierarchy of small town America. This show really got it right [...] I was riveted all over again and would say that it was one of those theater-going experiences that will stick with me long after this season."

Hillary Cohen, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation

"For a show about the dead, The Spoon River Project is very much alive. It's a strong play. In a span of 80 minutes, passion, joy, regret, sorrow, rage and love are expressed by the play's nearly 50 characters ... all of whom have come back from the dead to share the secrets they've taken with them to the grave."

Meredith Deliso, The Brooklyn Paper

"Those whose lives could benefit from an hour of beauty, thought and song will find all three, beautifully presented, in The Spoon River Project. It is a truly beautiful experience."

Robert Plyler, Jamestown Post Journal (Jamestown, NY)

Production History

FEB 27, 2025 - MAR 01, 2025
Downers Grove North High School
Downers Grove, IL United States
Downers Grove North High SchoolDowners Grove, IL United States
OCT 26, 2023 - NOV 04, 2023
Hockinson High School
Brush Prairie, WA United States
Hockinson High SchoolBrush Prairie, WA United States
MAY 25, 2023 - MAY 25, 2023
Gulfport High School
Gulfport, MS United States
Gulfport High SchoolGulfport, MS United States
OCT 28, 2022 - OCT 28, 2022
Tallulah Falls School
Tallulah Falls, GA United States
Tallulah Falls SchoolTallulah Falls, GA United States
OCT 22, 2022 - OCT 29, 2022
Tallulah Falls School
Tallulah Falls, GA United States
Tallulah Falls SchoolTallulah Falls, GA United States
APR 07, 2022 - APR 10, 2022
Monmouth College Theatre Department
Monmouth, IL United States
Monmouth College Theatre Department Monmouth, IL United States
APR 01, 2022 - APR 08, 2022
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL United States
Wheaton CollegeWheaton, IL United States
FEB 08, 2022 - FEB 10, 2022
Hialeah High School
Hialeah, FL United States
Hialeah High SchoolHialeah, FL United States
DEC 09, 2021 - DEC 11, 2021
Laramie High School
Laramie, WY United States
Laramie High SchoolLaramie, WY United States
NOV 17, 2021 - NOV 19, 2021
North Side High School
Fort Wayne, IN United States
North Side High SchoolFort Wayne, IN United States
1 of 10
No upcoming productions.
No professional productions.

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com